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Submitted by
Julie
a Cross Country Rider
from Upper Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cross Country Sports | | Strengths: | light, decent components, relatively cheap | | Weaknesses: | chainstay cracked in half, which Kona replaced
would be nice to have hydraulic brakes instead of mechanical disk.
| | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | While it is the only decent mountain bike I have ever owned, I couldn't be happier. However, I never do drops yet somehow my chainstay cracked in half, which Kona replaced. Other than that setback I have had no problems with the bike. The bike handles nicely on technical single-track trails and I highly recommend it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Buckwallow Cycle Centre | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Dukes Cycle | | Strengths: | This bike has a real solidly built frame. For the price, the components are of really great value. The suspension is great for advanced single track, and is very plush on drops and downhill sections. The tires work well in rocky wet and dirty situations with roots. The Fox Vanilla R is a really durable shock. I can tighten it up easily for fast and smooth single tracks or loosen it up for drops and downhill sections. Also with the adjustable rebound I can really have great controll over the rear end. The Marizo. MXR in the front is reall plush, it bombs rite over rocks. | | Weaknesses: | I found that the front end is a bit too light for my liking. This is my first bike with disc brakes, all I can say is that given Hayes rep. I expected more out of the breaks, but hey, they'e only mechanical. The two smaller chain rings in the front got bent easily. The tires don't quite handle dry uphills very well, and on pavement the rear suspension is a real drag, but then again that's not what the bike was made for. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS XTC 3.
Gary Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Even though the cons section seems overwhelmingly long, the bike is a great bang for the buck. I gain more confidence every time I ride. I can throw anything at it from 5 foot drops to fast single track and it performs exceptionally well. If your looking for a great all around bike for a great price find one of these before they run out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Edwards of Camberley | | Strengths: | Cheap(ish), robust, good components. | | Weaknesses: | Front end lightness (see below). Peddles are fine in the dry, sh1tty in wet. Cleats don't release when caked in mud and plastic platforms slip in the wet. | | Similar Products Used: | First full sus | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Shimano SPD 545 peddles | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for weekend xc. Seems to be totally maintenance free apart from the odd tweek here and there. Brakes took a few rides to wear in, but then are excellent. Prefer to hydros as more graduated feel.
Front lightness was odd at first, but actually enjoy it now. Just a case of adapting riding style to suit. Prefer lightness on dropoffs too. More confidence. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Downhiller
from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Chamonix, France | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Rutland Water Cycles | | Strengths: | Hard Frame, Reasonably light, shifts well with LX mech and deore shifters, good grips(!), nice fork once worn in. I haven't used it much for XC as I live in the middle of a city and can't be assed to travel out! Therefore, I tend to use it more of a freeride/street riding bike. Jumping off low walls, getting on and off of benches, balancing the front on obstacles etc. All of which it seems to do with no hassel, even though it wasn't really designed for this! Hasn't broke yet! | | Weaknesses: | Didn't like the original mechanical brakes. Got rid of them straight away for some hope mini's front and rear (soooo much better, if you haven't got hydraulics you dont know what powerful braking is!. Also light end when climbing. And I dont know whether anyone else gets it, but I seem to get loads of punctures. | | Similar Products Used: | Old bike was a Marin Bear Valley SE (R.I.P.!). Tried out a Marin Shoreline Trail (Sh*t), SPecialised Rockhopper Pro Disc (good), Kona Kahuna (good), GT I-drive (average, felt wierd), Whyte (strange but good for XC not for me though). | | Bike Setup: | As stock but with Hope Minis. Gonna get some new pedals in the near future and maybe a more aggresive front fork like the marzocchi dirt jumpers. Plus upgrade as and when needed. | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE MY BIKE! Good looks, good spec, and a good bike to start the upgrade path. It'll take anything you through at it, XC, Downhill, freeride, street riding. A very versatile bike for those that like a bit of everything!I got mine for £799 in mid 2003 which is good as it retails for about £1400 in England. What a bargain! You need this bike in your life. Pimpin' baby! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a Cross Country Rider
from Buford, Ga
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | 96 Olympic Course, Conyers | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$709.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun & Ski | | Strengths: | As purchased, the bike is perfectly functional for a beginner to intermediate rider. The frame and suspension are superb. Granted, the front end is a little light, but you can work that out with tuning, and a new stem. | | Weaknesses: | The Hayes Mechanical Discs are CRAP. | | Bike Setup: | Well, the frame and the wheels are still the same. XT cranks and bottom bracket. XT front and rear derailleurs. Avid Mechanical disc bracks. Avid SpeedDial 7's. Profdigy Raceface Stem, Easton seatpost, WTS Velociraptors, WTS Rocket 5 seat. XT Shifters. SRAM Cassette. | | Bottom Line: | If you can get into this bike for under $800, you have a VERY good platform for building a top notch bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd V.
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bradbury Mnt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Allspeed Bike | | Strengths: | Well built, very stable & FUN! Light front end makes bike very manuverable. Descends & climbs well. | | Weaknesses: | No external suspension adjustment, light front end can bite you if forget, slow tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd Gary Fisher Sugar 3 disk, Specialized Enduro, Rocky Mountain Element, Giant NRS 2.
And of course, my 1996 pre-genesis geometry Gary Fisher Big Sur. | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float\Marzocchi Shox, XT f\r der-crank-shifters, hayes mech disks, race face prodigy stem\bar, thompsen seatpost, speedplay frog pedals | | Bottom Line: | I bought the 2002 model in 2003 and got a really great deal. I was able to put the money (plus some more) back into the bike. This bike rides fantastic, makes me count the days between rides. Your confidence will double on every ride. The bike is very stable yet responsive, just make sure you have the suspension system set to your style as there isn't any real external adjustment. Changing out the stem\handlebars is a must *see light front end* (longer stem w/ lower rise, XC bars) as the original set-up is awkward. This bike actually climbs well once you get used to moving up on your seat.
The tires are curious, seem to like slow technical riding with a fondness for the muck. The tires would be great for a beginner (very stable-slow rolling).
The original stock components are acceptable but with some extra money you can really take this bike to the next level... and this frame is worth it.
Thanks Kona!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from Morris County
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Strengths: | Light front allows for easy lifts over rocks and logs, even with 120 mm stem. I find I need very little momentum to lift and clear even the largest diameter logs. | | Weaknesses: | Very light front end tended to lift off the ground on uphills. My first attempt at a wheelie landed me flat on my back. This was cured with a new 120 mm stem and by adapting to the bike's setup. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cindercone
Kona Cindercone, Cannondale Jeckyl | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for 120mm no rise stem and XT rear derailuer | | Bottom Line: | After switching to a longer stem, I am completely satisfied with the bike. It is great fun to ride, easily handles any terrain, steep, rocky, uphill, downhill, and is extremely durable. I've gone down hard several times on this bike and even watched from the ground as it flew over my head after endoing on an extremely steep and rocky downhill section. The bike emerged completely unscathed, although I was hurting. Given the price, features, (especially the disk brakes), and the excellent ride quality, I feel this bike is an excellent value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lead Feet
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta Ga
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 96 Olympic Course, Conyers | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Reality Bikes | | Strengths: | Value and stock components for the $$$$$ | | Weaknesses: | Like others, feel the front end is light. Big change from my hard tail | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jek 600, GF Sugar 4, trek fuel 800. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with exception of stem. To combat the frontend lightness factor I got longer stem 120mm with negative rise. Positioned seat forward which took care of most of the problem. Get your local store to work with your on the stem and you will save a few bucks. | | Bottom Line: | Very pleased with the bike. Great first FS at a great price. The stock Deore parts are fine as well as the truative crank. Hayes mechanical disc's are awesome. Marzocci bomber front fork is sweet. Will upgrade parts as I break them or due to wear. Great purchase that will keep the wife off your back especially if you dropped some serious coin on a road bike 5 months ago.
I am 42 and this bike will add years to my back and prostrate. Give Kona a look. There are too many Cannondale's, trek's and Gary Fisher's out there anyway. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Gelineau
a Cross Country Rider
from Poulsbo, WA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lower Big Quilcene | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Back Country, Tahoe | | Strengths: | Avid disc brakes, Float Rear, Bomber fronts. Can be set up for a very soft ride on some cobble rock which used to really beat me up on the rigid frames. Even though the derailures are not the top of the line I find them to be adequately responsive for general riding. The fully active frame is responsive to the terrain and the riders position. | | Weaknesses: | I agree with every one else, the front end is quite light and tends to come off on steep climbs. One has to be a bit careful or you may find it on top of you rather than the other way around. Lack of rebound control on the Fox Float rear shock. Top tube's a bit on the long side. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra | | Bike Setup: | Avid discs, Shimano LX, Fox float, Bomber, Shimano clipless | | Bottom Line: | I find it to be a fine bike for all around riding, easier technical single track and great for cross country. Those brakes are simply outstanding and were one of the major reasons for the purchase. While the components aren't the best they'll certainly be adequate and upgrading is always an easy option. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zuke
a Cross Country Rider
from Draper, UT
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Corner Canyon/Jacobs Ladder | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Smooth on the downhills | | Weaknesses: | Not the greatest climber | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | A good all around bike for the above average rider but it falls short if you like steep technical climbing and decending (I had to walk a few places that I'm not used to walking). I loved it on the downhill, it was very stable and hands free on the gravel road but It was a little long in the top tube for the tight stuff. I am coming off of a totally rigid bike and looking for my first F/S, this is not the bike for me but it is a great cruiser. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell
a Cross Country Rider
from Auckland
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | WoodHill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | BkeBarn | | Strengths: | Good level of equipment, comfortable saddle, reasonably light and strong.
Good brakes. Adjustable rear shock, little bob uphill. Fast down hill. The bike goes well on hardpack, sand or mud all on the same ride. The standard tires are fine, though going to a 2.1 is even better. | | Weaknesses: | Don't like the Shimano clipless pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kahuna. Fuji Tahoe DSC. | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much standard apart from replacing the Shimano pedals with Keywin DownHill pedals. Sometimes Continental Traction / Navigator or WTB Velocoraptors. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for my use, general riding cross country for a not so young rider (45+) weighing 95 kilos with a tired back. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mano mano
a Downhiller
from seattle
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | fantastic | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Wedgewood Cycle | | Strengths: | bomber shox, tires (even stock), great rear (suspension and weight) not bad up a hill, gets passed by hardtails, coming down...haven't ridden anything better | | Weaknesses: | really light front end, bobs up a bit going up | | Similar Products Used: | Norco storm (canadian hardtail, various other hardtails, that was my most recent | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | This was my first fs bike and I don't think I'll be getting a new one, ever. love the bike!!! not to heavy, front end could be heavier (seems to be a theme, but it jumps great. handles well round tight turns...did i mention i love kona for this bike? I think this would be a great bike for every one looking for a first fs bike (might be good for adv. riders too...?) love kona, hate kona, you gotta love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brett
a Cross Country Rider
from West Suffield, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Metacomet | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Gravity Warehouse | | Strengths: | -Frame build
-Suspension
-Components | | Weaknesses: | -Light front end | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike. Good on all terrain. I ride on technical, rocky territory most of the time (the trail passes right behind my house), and this bike does beautifully. Great brakes and suspension - very plush, but doesn't bottom out easily. Can handle most of what you throw at it. As I (and other reviewers) have said, the front end tends to lift if you aren't careful, since it's so light, but it still doesn't take much away from this all-around great bike. I think I'm in love. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Yates
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Woodhill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1138.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | Back suspension, disk brakes, build quality | | Weaknesses: | Stem has too much angle causing a light front end. | | Bike Setup: | Hayes disk brakes, spd pedals, bomber shox, Kona saddle, stem, no name handle bar, Fox float rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the bike on a Friday lunchtime and rode the bike on a 68km race the next day and enjoyed finding out the character of the bike. Absolutely impressed with the rear suspension and disk brakes. The bikes feel very confident on tight trails and excelled on the downhills. Nice and sharp on climbs with very little bob. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Walsh
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | North Lane Cove National Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1425.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Addiction | | Strengths: | Well designed frame, good componentary, no bob (compared to previous bike), competent downhill, great brakes | | Weaknesses: | Too light front end makes climbing hard, front suspension seems to top out- related to first problem | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 Specialized Comp FSR | | Bike Setup: | Marzoochi MSR, Hayes Mech Disc, Fox air on rear, Tioga tyres | | Bottom Line: | Too light at front and did not like the tyres. Changes bars to lower ones and dropped headset, and changes tyres to WTB velociraptor at front and IRC Mythos XC at rear. Now going like a freight train. Extremely competent rear end at climbing, light enough at the front end, great downhill and brakes on a sixpence. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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